Once you have developed your initial outline, you now have the skeletal framework on which everything else can be built. At this stage in the development of your lesson plan, sermon, and so forth, it is time to incorporate the supporting material gleaned from your study of the passage. Recall that our passage is Galatians 5:16–18: “I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.” We are going to use the outline below that we established in the previous chapter, and review all the possible information that could be incorporated into this outline.

In Galatians 5:16–18, we can make three observations regarding the desire of the flesh.
IV. Submitting to the desire of the flesh is not inescapable.
v. 16: “I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”

A. The obedience required in order to avoid the flesh. “walk by the Spirit”
B. The result of submitting to the Spirit. “You will not carry out …”
V. Submitting to both the flesh and the Spirit is not possible.
v. 17: “For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.”

A. The battle between the flesh and the Spirit described. “For the flesh …”
B. The incompatibility explained. “These are opposed …”
VI. Submitting to the Spirit, for the Christian, is natural.
v. 18: “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

A. The condition: being led by the Spirit. “But if …”
B. The result: being a fee from the law (a Christian). “You are not …”
Steps of Observation
It is important to remember that we have provided a lengthy list of observation steps. However, not every step will necessarily be relevant to every passage we study. For example, you will not find anything geographical in the Galatians 5 passage we are currently looking at. Additionally, there are certain things, like building a diagram, that have already been done.

Comparing Multiple Translations
When comparing this passage across several different kinds of Bible translations, there are several points of comparison worth noting. First, we will note similarities among key words. Virtually all standard translations use the words “walk,” “flesh,” “Spirit,” “do,” “led,” and “law.” Second, we need to note key words that are different across various translations. Those key words that are different among the translations are “carry out,” “desire,” “opposed.” These words become the basis for choosing the words for your word studies later.

Asking Key Questions
The key questions to ask of a passage are “who?” “what?” “where?” “when?” “why?” and “how?” The “who?” question focuses on three characters in this passage: “I,” “Spirit,” and “you.” The “what?” questions that need to be answered are, “What does it mean to walk in the Spirit?” and “What does it mean to carry out the desire of the flesh?” There are no “where?” topics. There are also no phrases that deal with time and, thus, no “when?” questions to be answered. Regarding the “why?” question, there is one key word in this verse: “for.” Often, when you see this word it is introducing an explanation for a previous statement given. Finally, walking in or being led by the Spirit answers the “how?” of avoiding carrying out the desire of the flesh.

Transitional Words
There are several transitional words to pay attention to in this passage. The first one is “then.” This word links us to the previous context because it is a word of conclusion. Paul has been saying something in the previous context that leads him to conclude with what he says in verses 16 and following. “For” is a word we have already discussed as a “why?” word. It is also a transition word introducing an explanation to the previous statement. Finally, the word “but” is a transitional word. “But” almost always indicates contrast.

Seeing Parts of Speech
When identifying parts of speech, always begin with the verbs. Sentences revolve around verbs. In this passage, the verbs are “say,” “walk,” “carry,” “desires,” “opposed,” “do,” “led,” and “are.” Next, you should identify the nouns in the sentence. Nouns and pronouns that function as subjects are “I,” “you” (three times), “flesh,” “Spirit,” and “these.” You should determine what nouns these pronouns refer to. Other key nouns and pronouns are “Spirit,” “flesh,” “other,” “what,” and “law.” These lists contain key words that we have already mentioned in this chapter and should, therefore, reinforce the importance of understanding and being able to explain them. Additionally, by now, you will notice that certain words are repeated multiple times throughout the passage. This is also important.

Understanding Figures of Speech
Are there any figures of speech in this passage? Recall that the way to spot a figure of speech is to identify a sentence or phrase that doesn’t make sense when interpreted literally. The most significant figure of speech in this passage is the word “flesh.” The literal idea of “flesh” is a reference to our physical bodies. The use of “flesh” here is an example of synecdoche. Synecdoche is the use of the part to represent the whole or the whole to represent the part. In this case, “flesh” is a representation of the whole person. Specifically, here, it is a reference to the person in relationship to the human default mode of the sin nature. This use of “flesh” is found throughout Paul’s writings.

Identifying Structure
There are two elements of structure in the passage that are meaningful. The first is the cause/effect element in the beginning of the passage. Verse 16 gives us a sense of do this (walk in the Spirit) and this will be the result (you will not give in to the flesh). Cause/effect appears a second time in verse 18 where the “if” clause related to being led by the Spirit points to the condition of not being under the law.

A second major structural element in the text is contrast. The most obvious contrast is seen in the word “but.” However, the contrast of the Spirit versus the flesh is repeated throughout the passage.

Considering Historical Context
There are no historical references in this passage. But an understanding of the background of Galatians and the circumstances that caused Paul to write the letter is still valuable here.

Evaluating Literary Context
Galatians is a letter by the apostle Paul to a group of churches that he founded during his first missionary journey. Unfortunately, the believers in these churches were being influenced by those who would pervert the Gospel. The letter was written to correct this false gospel. In the process, Paul needed to reestablish his apostolic authority. The letter to the Galatians can be outlined as follows:

I. Introduction and defense of Paul’s apostleship (1:1–2:21)
II. Defense of justification by faith (3:1–4:31)
III. Defense of Christian liberty and conclusion (5:1–6:18)
The passage we are examining in this chapter is found in the third section in which Paul is defending Christian liberty. In this section, Paul argues that the gospel truly frees us. Any message that returns believers to a yoke of slavery under the law is counter to gospel. Prior to our passage, Paul cautions against the selfish abuse of this freedom that comes by being in Christ. After verses 16–18, Paul gives two lists: the fruit associated with the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit.

Our verses, therefore, are framed on one side by Paul’s urging against the abuse of Christian liberty and on the other side by the external evidence that demonstrates whether a person is submitted to the flesh or the Spirit.

Conducting Word Studies
Determining what words should be studied further is usually the result of following the above steps. Beginning with the translation analysis, we note key words that are similar: “walk,” “flesh,” “Spirit,” “do,” “led,” and “law.” We also notice key words that vary among translations: “carry out,” “desire,” and “opposed.”

A second part of the process of observation that might help you identify terms for your word study is the analysis of the parts of speech. Recall that in our passage, the verbs are “say,” “walk,” “carry,” “desires,” “opposed,” “do,” “led,” and “are.” The nouns and pronouns that function as subjects are “I,” “you,” “flesh,” “Spirit,” and “these.” Other key nouns and pronouns are “Spirit,” “flesh,” “other,” “what,” and “law.”

A third way to identify terms for your word study is to find repeated words. The words “Spirit,” “flesh,” and “desire” (or “desires”) are each repeated a number of times.

Terms in this passage for which word studies would be profitable to understanding the passage definitely include “walk,” “Spirit,” “flesh,” “desire(s),” and “opposed.” There are certainly others that could be included, but this would be an excellent start.

Conclusion
Finally, there is the process of assembling all this information. The best way to do this is to integrate the information into the outline wherever appropriate. Using some way of stylistically setting your own comments apart from the structure of the outline you have already developed, insert information from the various aspects of your observation analyses. Literary and historical context can be left out for now, as they fit best as part of the introduction. Your outline might look something like this. For brevity, only the first main section is included:

In Galatians 5:16–18, we can make three observations regarding the desire of the flesh.
I. Submitting to the desire of the flesh is not inescapable.
v. 16: “I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.”

A. The obedience required in order to avoid the flesh. “Walk by the Spirit”
Note: Paul begins with a command “walk” (insert word study for the word “walk” here).
- “by the Spirit” (insert word study here to explain what it means to “walk by the Spirit.” Include lengthy notes that speak about the act of submitting to the Holy Spirit).
B. The result of submitting to the Spirit. “You will not carry out …”
Note: As a believer, sin is not inevitable. This verse conveys the clear idea that submission to the Holy Spirit results in sin prevention. The opposite could also be said. Sin is inevitable when the believer is not submitted to the Spirit.
- “desire of the flesh”: (insert word studies on “desire(s)” and “flesh” here).
- Explain “flesh” as a synecdoche.
- Reiterate the cause/effect conveyed by verse 16.
Once you have included all the relevant information from your observational analysis, look through the passage to see where correlation could be included. How does your passage fit with the rest of Scripture? Recall the spiral of correlation and include other passages of Paul’s, appropriate references to Acts, and references to other New and Old Testament writings. These various correlations will deepen your teaching and reinforce the unity of Scripture. [Cartwright, John & Hulshof, Chris (2016). Everyday Bible Study (p. 186). B&H Publishing Group. Retrieved from https://app.wordsearchbible.com.]